Talking points from Man Utd v Newcastle Carabao Cup final 2023

Ten Hag’s side had struggled for control in the opening half-hour of the game, but Newcastle hadn’t caused too many problems at our end of the pitch either. That was until David De Gea pulled off a tremendous save to deny Allan Saint-Maximin what looked to be a certain opener from close range. United would go on to break the deadlock shortly after, with David’s first-half efforts proving crucial to the final result, just like they did in the victory over Leicester City at Old Trafford seven days ago. The clean sheet – by our reckoning – also sees him become the club’s outright leader in that category on 181, having levelled Peter Schmeichel’s previous height of 180 in that win over the Foxes last week. He made another top stop in injury time, to deny Joelinton.

BIG GAME, BIG PLAYER 

Casemiro knows a thing or two about major cup finals, and we could maybe start to say the same thing about his prowess in front of goal! The midfielder, not renowned in his Real Madrid days for getting on the scoresheet, netted the pivotal first goal to swing the momentum in our favour. It is actually his fourth strike in his last 12 matches, following on from his delicate finish against Bournemouth and his FA Cup double versus Reading.